State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Comments on Governor's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson issued the following statement today on Governor Brown's proposed budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year:
"This budget builds upon California's recommitment to ensuring that every child graduates with the tools they need to succeed in the society and economy they will find outside their classrooms. When the voters passed Proposition 30 in 2012, they put our schools back on track after several years and billions of dollars of budget cuts. With this new plan, we continue down that path. Per-pupil spending continues to climb—with additional funding for the most vulnerable of our students under the Local Control Funding Formula. And schools face the prospect of starting the next school year with billions of dollars of deferrals finally repaid.
"I thank the Governor for making education a top priority in the budget. It means a strong starting point for the coming months' conversations—but work remains to be done. I look forward to discussing with Governor Brown universal transitional kindergarten—opening the door to this early learning opportunity for every 4-year-old in California. We must continue our support for schools as they make the switch to the Common Core State Standards—a smart choice for preparing our children for college and careers, and one that will benefit from professional development, improved technology, and new materials.
"Californians across the state know that children deserve every tool and opportunity to thrive inside the classroom and out. I'll continue working with Governor Brown and the Legislature over the next six months to make sure that education remains the top priority in the state budget."
"This budget builds upon California's recommitment to ensuring that every child graduates with the tools they need to succeed in the society and economy they will find outside their classrooms. When the voters passed Proposition 30 in 2012, they put our schools back on track after several years and billions of dollars of budget cuts. With this new plan, we continue down that path. Per-pupil spending continues to climb—with additional funding for the most vulnerable of our students under the Local Control Funding Formula. And schools face the prospect of starting the next school year with billions of dollars of deferrals finally repaid.
"I thank the Governor for making education a top priority in the budget. It means a strong starting point for the coming months' conversations—but work remains to be done. I look forward to discussing with Governor Brown universal transitional kindergarten—opening the door to this early learning opportunity for every 4-year-old in California. We must continue our support for schools as they make the switch to the Common Core State Standards—a smart choice for preparing our children for college and careers, and one that will benefit from professional development, improved technology, and new materials.
"Californians across the state know that children deserve every tool and opportunity to thrive inside the classroom and out. I'll continue working with Governor Brown and the Legislature over the next six months to make sure that education remains the top priority in the state budget."
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100